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Article 43: Banking & Real Estate Service

Town Moderator (TMod) calls a brief recess so that Town Meeting Members' Association (TMMA) can make a few announcements

Three TMMs are acknowledged for their service to the Town as elected representatives for 30 yrs or more: Janet Perry, Shirley Stoltz, and Ed Grant. Each receives a certificate and Seal of Lexington pin.

Meeting is now open on Article 43: Banking & Real Estate Service. This article would delete the sections of the bylaw related to the banking moratorium established by the 2015 Annual Town Meeting while proposing a special permit from the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) to establish, move, or expand banking and real estate service business in center storefronts in the Center Business (CB) District.

Seven criteria for the ZBA to look at to make findings before issuing a permit for [another] bank in the CB. Criteria have to do with where they're located [proposed] - - several banks are clustered together right now, by right. A special permit with very specific and stringent criteria.

Planning Board: unanimously supports this article

Board of Selectmen: unanimously supports

Lexington Center Committee: wholeheartedly supports

TMM Q: Concerned by criteria c - "undue concentration"

A: The ZBA would need to take a look at the proposed use of the streetscape and see what effect it will have on the CB vibrancy

TMM: on g: "adjacent to the storefront"

A: Gives us the best chance to "strengthen"

TMM: I find this confusing and will offer an amendment

TMM Q: One of the criteria the use will not be used for office or conference space - not typical for banks...

A: Please clarify

TMM: Do you really mean that it will not contain those things?

A: The bank will have all of those things inside, ZBA needs to look to make sure that storage (e.g.) will not be in the front windows

TMMQ: Does the ZBA feel these are sufficient guidelines?

A: [Chair of ZBA, Jeanne Kreiger] ZBA has not taken a position on this article; Chair feels the criteria is sufficient

Amendment is offered by TMM to change "the area adjacent to the storefront" to "the interior area of the property adjacent to the storefront"

PlanningBoard already looked at this language and didn't feel that it helped. We do not support changing the language at this time.

BoardofSelectmen: agrees with Planning Board that this is not a necessary amendment

TMod looking for statements, questions to amend:

TMM Q: Is that amendment specific enough?

A: add a subsection - - 2g, gg (e.g.)

Appropriation Committee (AC) asks Town Counsel if the amendment clarifies

Locally, I'm proud to represent my neighborhood at Town Meeting (since 2006). I'm the Parent Representative on the Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education and the Northeast Area Representative for NASBE. I blog at MAStewartMA.blogspot.com. Blog content is mine; all comments are moderated.

My Public Life Calendar

A Board Meeting has been scheduled for Tuesday, August 15, 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM. More details as they become available.

2017-2018 Board Meeting Schedule

Monday, September 25, 2017 (special)

Tuesday, September 26, 2017 (regular)

Monday, October 23, 2017 (special)

Tuesday, October 24, 2017 (regular)

Monday, November 27, 2017 (special)

Tuesday, November 28, 2017 (regular)

Tuesday, December 19, 2017 (regular)

Monday, January 22, 2018 (special)

Tuesday, January 23, 2018 (regular)

Monday, February 26, 2018 (special)

Tuesday, February 27, 2018 (regular)

Monday, March 26, 2018 (special)

Tuesday, March 27, 2018 (regular)

Monday, April 23, 2018 (special)

Tuesday, April 24, 2018 (regular)

Monday, May 14, 2018 (special)

Tuesday, May 22, 2018 (regular)

Monday, June 25, 2018 (special)

Tuesday, June 26, 2018 (regular)

Whenever possible, Board meetings are held on the fourth Tuesday of every month. All regular meetings will begin at 8:30 AM at the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, unless otherwise noted. The Board also frequently holds a special meeting the Monday evening before each regular meeting. Information on special meetings (including date, time, and location) in advance of each meeting.

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